“I wish more women would become financial advisers; it’s an excellent career but it’s not an easy life. The profession is dominated by men, but I urge women who begin a career in finance not to emulate the way men work. Women tend to have a unique skill set that is ideally suited to this role, and the ability to really listen and understand a client’s needs. To make life easier I would find a mentor: a woman, if you can.”
Christina Brady – Associate Director
“I’m proud to be a woman in finance. For almost 20 years now, I’ve been offering my support and advice to a wide range of clients, most notably expats living in Spain.
My advice to women starting in the financial services is: know your worth. Don’t try and conform to how others do things – be the best version of yourself and play to your strengths. Now more than ever you’re going to be dealing with female clients and you will be able to use your innate empathy to build a relationship of trust.
Also, be resilient. You may spend a lot of time answering questions on subjects outside of your area of expertise. It can be a hectic job with long hours so don’t forget to make time for yourself, whether that’s doing yoga, reading or enjoying a nice big glass of Rioja!
Lucia Melgarejo – International Financial Adviser
“Women need to support women. Share knowledge, share experiences and share insights – it’s this foundation that yields the most success, the best reputations and the highest levels of integrity.
I would sum up my approach to a career in finance as follows:
- Never sell yourself short
- Step up and take responsibility
- Know your objectives
- Pick a female mentor
- Run your own race
Working in financial services can present endless opportunities for those who cultivate positive, enduring relationships, always keep learning and put their clients at the heart of every effort.”
Manuela Robinson – Joint Country Manager
“Always be yourself, because that’s your biggest strength. Don’t think of yourself as a woman in a man’s world because you’re not – you’re an equally qualified individual and never forget it. Sometimes a woman is at an advantage in that we have a different set of skills, whether you’re a partner, mother, family organizer, party planner, listener or a friend!”
Rosemary Sheppard – International Financial Adviser
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
The pension freedoms of 2014 radically altered the way many expats are now able to access their retirement funds. The changes, which came into force in April 2015, ended the age of annuity-by-default and allowed people to take multiple tax-free sums, have flexible options regarding income drawdown and provided more scope for 
Being an expat has many potential benefits and opportunities, but residing abroad also brings with it certain complex financial considerations. In many ways these can be made all the more complicated if you also happen to have foreign husband or wife, particularly in regard to your expat pension planning.